Crash


Angleball

Author: Nick Roberts
Publisher: Mastertronic Added Dimension
Machine: Spectrum 48K

 
Published in Crash #46

Angle Ball

Pool can never be the same again after you've taken your cue to a hexagonal table.

As in the standard game, coloured balls have to be hit into six pockets using the white cue ball. A cursor is used to align the cue ball and a coloured object ball with the pocket. By creating the right angle the coloured ball can be hit into a pocket. Six of the coloured balls may be hit into the pockets in any order, but the black must be left till last, or a foul shot is incurred and the game lost.

Different types of spin (top, side and back) can be given to the cue ball, causing it to react after striking the coloured ball. In this way a good position can be achieved for the next shot. A shot's strength is regulated by altering the length of the cue in the box at the bottom right of the screen.

Angle Ball

For every ball potted, points are awarded. When all the balls on the table have been potted the frame is over and another one can be played with a different arrangement of balls. (A frame designer allows you to add your own ball arrangements.) If three shots are missed, the game is over and it's time to hang up your cue.

A frame-designer allows you to set up your own starting position.

Comments

Joysticks: Cursor, Kempston, Sinclair
Graphics: simple but clear
Sound: informative bells, whistles
Options: redefinable keys, or two players or one player versus computer, frame designer

Paul ... 51%

Angle Ball

'A nice variation on snooker, this, though I can't really see people going out in their droves to purchase it. I'd love to play the full-size table version - the computer version seems to have quite a bit of trouble when working out the correct angles from your spin, speed and table position. The one-player game is the most challenging, and though Angleball will be fun for the snooker/pool/eight-ball fanatics, it won't be too attractive to anyone else.'

Bym ... 60%

'The new-style hexagonal snooker table makes computer snooker easier, bringing the idea of clearing away all the balls within the realms of possibility. It doesn't take as long to get bored with Angleball as it does with every other snooker game (Including the televised, professional type). But perhaps the strength factor needs a bit of tweaking - I find that either you give the shot full power and the cue ball trickles along into the hole, or you fry to kiss the pink and the cue ball trickles along till it comes within close range of a ball. And if you do happen to make a mistake, or find a screen where you can't get a clear break, you'll need more than the stingy three misses you're allowed. BUT, this is the best snooker simulation yet'

Nick ... 42%

'Well, what is Angleball? Is it some type of hexagonal snooker? Has Dennis Taylor got to get a pair of even weirder glasses? Well, actually ft's quite a good simulation. Do you remember way, way back when a game just called Snooker was released (the days of no loading screens!)? This one's very similar. The balls are all different colours, and as usual in simulations, there's plenty of colour clash. And when you hit a ball with your cue it doesn't roll, it just hovers! But once you've got used to it you can get a lot of fun out of Angleball. It's one to play on a rainy night (probably in where 99.9% of the rain falls!)'

Nick RobertsPaul SumnerBym Welthy

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